Better Together

Celebrating Culture Across the Great Plains

August 2023 | Issue 5

This month, we’re highlighting two diverse groups within our communities!

Recognized as the third largest religion in the world, many of our neighbors in North Dakota are practicing Hindus. To better serve our Hindu neighbors and create accessible spaces for all, we will be sharing more about this inspirational culture and religion within our state.

August is also a time to honor the 10% of United States businesses owned and operated by black owners and operators by celebrating Black Business Owners Month. About 30% of all minority-owned businesses are black-owned and operated! Some of the many challenges that black business owners face start with less access to much-needed capital to open and expend businesses, with the recent pandemic making it especially difficult for them to operate and generate profit for their hard-working owners and employees.

With those challenges in mind, you can help us celebrate black-owned establishments by visiting and supporting them during the month of August – and beyond!

"On the Edge of the Wind" exhibit on display until October 2024 at North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum

First opening April 27 of this year at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum, the "On the Edge of the Wind: Native Storytellers & the Land" exhibit helps visitors learn connections between cultural practices, regional landscapes and tribal stories. Artifacts, photographs and other information for the exhibit was collected from interviews with 13 Native storytellers and knowledge keepers compiled over 10 years. The exhibit is currently open and will remain open until October 2024.

Featured storytellers include Alvina Alberts (1912-1997), Dakotah; Keith Bear, Mandan/Hidatsa; Francis Cree (1920-2007), Ojibway/Cree/Assiniboine; Alex DeCoteau, Ojibway; Dakota Wind Goodhouse, Lakota; Debbie Gourneau, Ojibway; Calvin Grinnell, Hidatsa; Dan Jerome, Métis/Ojibway; Anna Littleghost, Lakota; Lenore White Lightning, Dakotah; Mary Louise Defender Wilson, Dakotah/Hidatsa; Courtney Yellow Fat, Hunkpapa Lakota; and Marvin Baldeagle Youngman, Ojibway.

"On the Edge of the Wind" is free and open to the public.

VISIT EXHIBIT WEBSITE HERE

See more events from the State Historical Society of North Dakota here

Fargo-Moorhead's first Hindu temple opens in 2023

In January of this year, the Fargo-Moorhead community welcomed its first Hindu temple with the opening of The Hindu Temple of Fargo-Moorhead. Located in Moorhead, the Temple is just the fifth to be established in Minnesota.

Around 100 men, women and children participated in the grand opening. The temple is one of just two serving the North Dakota and South Dakota area along with the Sioux Falls, S.D., temple, which opened in 2018.

Hinduism: Celebrations and Festivals

Each yearly festival includes visiting a temple, the exchange of gifts and unique foods.

Celebration	What is it?	When
Diwali	The Hindu new year, Diwali is a festival of lights. Light represents knowledge.	Late October or early November
Holi	Holi is the festival that marks the beginning of spring.	March or April
Dussehra	Dussehra is the festival marking Rama's victory over Ravana	September

Fargo-Moorhead's Black Owned Businesses

Supporting black-owned businesses where you reside is crucially important for a better sense of community.

Featuring a wide range of services including entertainment, food options, hair and beauty, non-profit organizations and athletic services, there are more than 60 businesses that are black-owned within the Fargo-Moorhead community.

Find a full list of Fargo-Moorhead's black owned businesses here.

August Events & Celebrations

Implicit Bias Test